Brent Council will set up a task group aimed at tackling violence against women in the borough.

Its public realm and resources scrutiny committee agreed to set up the panel to examine how it can better support women at risk.

The group seeks to raise awareness of and provide protection against domestic violence and help bring perpetrators to justice.

There will also be a focus on reducing sexual exploitation through human trafficking and support for the campaign to end female genital mutilation.

The task group – which is expected to be made up of six councillors – will be set up within “the next few months”.

A spokeswoman for Brent Council said: “The task group will be looking at what the council and local partners are doing to address domestic abuse and violence and supporting victims of violence.

“Once evidence has been collated from experts and stakeholders, the findings will be reported.

“Brent Council is committed to reducing violence against women and, in 2015, it became the first London borough to commission a domestic abuse worker specialising in ‘non crime domestics’, which covers cases where there is not enough evidence for the police to pursue a criminal charge.”

She explained that the council views domestic abuse as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between, intimate partners, ex partners or family members.

Those living in Brent who have concerns about domestic violence – both male and female – can contact ‘Advance’ on 07398 454898.